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Overview

What is Environmental and Energy Resources Management at WVU like?

Description

The Environmental and Energy Resources Management major, commonly referred to as E*Quad, will equip you to enter a variety of careers in the energy industry. You’ll learn the business of energy production and utilization along with associated environmental management, regulatory and policy issues.

This unique program provides a strong foundation for students interested in pursuing a career in the growing energy and environmental sectors of the economy. Whether in private business, government, consulting or in your own entrepreneurial ventures, you’ll be able to apply these concepts across both traditional and alternative energy sources.

You'll choose courses centered on one of four “E” areas (economics, energy, entrepreneurship and environment) and take six hours of GIS courses to gain additional skills desired by employers.

$600,000+ in scholarships awarded annually by the Davis College in partnership with WVU Student Financial Support and Services.

Grants to support student travel available from the College and Division.

The Natural Resources Analysis Center hires undergraduate students to carry out GIS-related research and drone-related work. NRAC Director Paul Kinder often mentors students through independent study courses.

Connect with professionals in your field of study and enhance your professional communication skills through the Davis College Mentor Program.

Research and Academic Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to do undergraduate research in course 495-Independent Study (1-6 hours). This is a faculty-supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings.

3+3 Law Degree Program

This major is eligible for the 3+3 Law Degree Program that allows qualified students to earn a bachelor’s degree and law degree in six years instead of seven years.

Professional Organizations

Careers

What can you do with this degree?

Most graduates go on to work in a sector of the energy industry, taking on roles such as project analyst, sustainability analyst, environmental manager, sustainability coordinator, natural resources project coordinator land manager or procurement specialist, among many others.

Other graduates go on to pursue a graduate degree (MS) in fields such as energy systems engineering, safety management and energy environments. The latter is a new MS degree program at WVU to be introduced in the fall 2018 semester.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Environmental and Energy Resources Management major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Bright Outlook

Green Occupation

Requires a Graduate Degree

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.
Possible job titles for this career include: Brownfield and Economic Development Director.

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.
Possible job titles for this career include: Enforcement Officer.

Environmental Restoration Planners

Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.
Possible job titles for this career include: Coastal and Estuary Specialist.

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
Possible job titles for this career include: Environmental Specialist.

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Possible job titles for this career include: Environmental Programs Specialist.

Mapping Technicians

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.
Possible job titles for this career include: Clinical Trials Systems Administrator.

Title Examiners, Abstractors and Searchers

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.
Possible job titles for this career include: Abstracter.

Wind Energy Project Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.
Possible job titles for this career include: Business Developer.

What are the courses like in Environmental and Energy Resources Management at WVU?

Major Map

For a program overview, learning goals and course descriptions, visit the course catalog.

Popular Courses

ARE 187:Energy Resource Economics

Dilemmas posed for developing and modern societies by rising energy demands amid concerns for the world's environment. Economics of fuel sources and technologies, and historical and new concerns over resource scarcities.

ARE 204:Agribusiness Management

Overview of the agribusiness decision-making process, and the functions of agribusiness management; analysis of financial statements and budgeting for evaluating profitability of alternative enterprises and practices.

ARE 382:Agricultural and Natural Resources Law

Introduction to legal concepts, principles and practices related to environmental, natural resource, and agricultural issues; in the context of the legal system within which statues are enacted, administered and enforced.

ARE 445:Energy Economics

Analysis of the energy sector and its relationship to the rest of the economy; energy security, deregulation, full cost pricing, substitutability among energy sources, transmission, new technologies, environmental considerations.

ARE 450:Agriculture, Environmental and Resource Policy

Economic analysis of agricultural, natural resource and environmental policies; problems of externalities and market failure, and alternative policies for addressing such problems; benefits and cost of alternative policies.

RESM 440:Foundations of Applied Geographic Information Systems

An introductory course designed to provide the necessary background and techniques to use GIS technology to analyze and solve spatial problems. An emphasis is placed on acquisition, management, and manipulation of spatial data.

Capstone Projects

Before graduating, all undergraduates in this major complete an academic project (or "capstone") to demonstrate their research, communication and critical thinking skills. Projects in WVU's Environmental and Energy Resources Management major have included:

Environmental affairs intern with Alabama Power Company in BirminghamARE 491: Professional Field Experience

Environmental team internship at Draper Aden Associates in Richmond, Va.ARE 491: Professional Field Experience

Internship at Applied Thermal Solutions in Williamstown, N.J.

The company designs engineering systems for steam, fuel oil handling and state-of-the-art-combustion.

ARE 491: Professional Field Experience

Internship with at Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC, in Internal Control Review of Drilling Title OpinionsARE 491: Professional Field Experience

Opening a business (Nieman's Auto Sales in Bruceton Mills)

After winning the Business Plan Competition, Reggie Nieman used his competition winnings to open his own used auto sales business.

ARE 491: Professional Field Experience

Summer internship at the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation Program in CharlestonARE 491: Professional Field Experience

Cost and Aid

How much does Environmental and Energy Resources Management at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2018-19 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Ways to Save

Merit-based Scholarships

Incoming freshmen to the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design may qualify for merit-based scholarships based on GPA and SAT/ACT test score. No additional application is necessary. These scholarships are in addition to University scholarships.

Academic Common Market

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. In addition to guaranteed admission agreements Environmental and Energy Resources Management has transfer articulation agreements with:

Microorganisms are everywhere — from plants and animals to air, soil and water. This major prepares you for careers related to the environment, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and food production and safety. In the accelerated option, you can earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years.

This program melds natural resource management, business and development of energy resources. Our graduates emerge as highly trained and sought-after professionals, equipped with the skills needed to make an immediate impact in the energy industry.

With this major’s flexibility, you can design a program of study tailored to your environmental and natural resource interests, such as water use and quality, soil protection, waste management, ecosystem management or land use.

Want to be part of today's most dynamic and interesting engineering fields? Petroleum and natural gas engineers drive progress and innovation. Our graduates enjoy some of the highest starting salaries across all departments in the University.

Where is WVU?

West Virginia University located in Morgantown, is located about 70 miles south of Pittsburgh, PA. Close to D.C., Cleveland, and New York City, too. Fill in your address below to find out how close WVU is to you.